5 Reasons I’d Buy A Motorola Edge Right Now
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The Motorola Edge 2024 was a device that confounded me at launch. I loved the hardware and appreciated what Moto was doing with its midrange offerings, but I couldn’t understand the price. For $550, many more substantial midrange options provide more power and software support. Moto did the same thing with the previous Edge, leading me not to recommend the phone at launch.
However, what Moto lacks in attractive launch prices, it more than makes up for with later discounts. Its phones often go from the worst-priced to the best, and that’s precisely what’s happened again with the Moto Edge 2024. I didn’t love it at $550, but it’s hard to beat for $300. Here are 5 reasons I’d buy a Moto Edge right now.
Read our review
5 Premium build quality at a budget price
The phone feels nice
I appreciate what Motorola did with the design of its midrange and budget phones. They don’t look or feel cheap, and the Moto Edge 2024 is no exception. It features an aluminum frame and eco-leather back that adds texture and grip for use without a case. I don’t know why more manufacturers don’t adopt eco-leather for their budget phones. It looks and feels significantly better than the cheap, glossy plastic backs you get on other phones under $500.
I also like that the Moto Edge 2024 is IP68 dust and water-resistant, adding peace of mind that you can use your Edge in the elements. The Edge is also thin and light, measuring just 8.1mm and weighing only 174g. It’s a joy to have in your pocket, and you’ll be pleased with the premium feel for only $300.
4 Moto does midrange displays better
Gorgeous OLED panels
Motorola displays don’t often disappoint me, even on the company’s less expensive smartphones. The Moto Edge features a vibrant 6.6-inch P-OLED (read: symmetrical bezels) 1080p display, refreshing at 144Hz. The faster refresh rate is noticeable, and the Edge feels smoother than other devices in the same price range. It’s a 1080p display, but it’s sharp and crisp. I don’t notice the increase in resolution from 1080p to QHD+ often, and unless the display is significantly larger, I doubt you’ll mind, especially at a budget price.
However, it’s not just the refresh rate that impresses me. The Moto Edge’s display is saturated, with excellent contrast. It displays a remarkable depth of color, and movies and games look fantastic on it. I admire the Edge’s screen every time I use the phone, and you’ll love how it looks for the price. The phone still features a curved display, which screams 2019, but I’m not bothered by it on the Moto Edge. I wish it were flat, but it fits well with the phone’s sleek and light aesthetic.
3 I like Moto’s software
It’s not all bad
I often complain about Motorola because of its poor software support. It doesn’t offer as many years as the competition, and the updates we do get aren’t on a reliable schedule. I wish Moto provided more than 2 Android upgrades and 3 years of security updates on the Moto Edge, but that shouldn’t keep you from buying, especially for only $300.
The Moto Edge runs Android 14 out of the box with the company’s Hello UI skin. I like the company’s software and appreciate a phone that does its job without constantly throwing AI in my face. Moto Gestures are still included, so your favorites, like chop to activate the flashlight, are on the Edge. Moto Smart Connect is the best software you’re not using, rivaling Samsung’s DeX. And, unlike Samsung, Motorola puts it in multiple device classes, meaning that spending less doesn’t exclude you. Moto Secure is also excellent software, giving you more granular control over software privacy than we’re used to seeing with today’s smartphones.
2 Better than expected cameras
More than good enough
No one will confuse any photos from the Moto Edge for anything from a Pixel, but the phone holds its own. Its 13MP ultrawide lens gets soft and loses color in less-than-ideal lighting, but I love the output from the 50MP primary sensor. The photos are surprisingly detailed, with excellent contrast and deep colors. Whatever Motorola is doing with its color science is working, and behind the Pixels, I’d put the Moto Edge camera up against any phone you can buy for under $400.
Nighttime and low-light photography are question marks, and shutterbugs will probably still want a Google Pixel 8a on sale. Still, for those looking at the entire package, the Moto Edge’s cameras aren’t disqualifying as they may have been on less expensive Motorola phones in the past.
1 The sales are impressive
Under $300 is hard to beat
Remember that a new Moto Edge is coming in a few months, but it’s hard to beat the current Edge for only $300 on sale. It’s a fantastic price, and the Moto Edge compares favorably when you look at what you typically get for that money. I love finding a good discount, and Moto’s phones have impressed me in the last few years once they go on sale. The Moto G Stylus 2024 is also a favorite of mine; it’s another excellent device that can be bought for only $250.
It’s not just flat discounts that make the company’s phones attractive. They are used in aggressive carrier deals and Walmart sales. I frequently see the Moto Edge offered for free or with a minimal monthly payment on a carrier deal, and big-box retailers are always running specials that center around Moto phones.
If you like saving money, now is the time
I had plenty of misgivings about the Moto Edge on launch, especially for $550. The phone didn’t make sense against the Galaxy A55 and even the OnePlus 13R later in the year. However, once the deals started rolling, the Moto Edge became one of my favorite budget phones this year. You’ll be pleased with the performance, and your wallet will thank you for all the money you’ll save.
Motorola Edge (2024)
The Motorola Edge 2024 features a 6.6-inch P-OLED display that refreshes at 144Hz. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, which gives it solid midrange performance. Its 68-watt fast charging is best-in-class, so you can quickly top off your Moto Edge. It wasn’t a fantastic deal on launch, but for its $300 sales price, it makes a lot more sense.
